22+ Free Cootie Catcher Templates
Cootie Catchers have been bringing joy to people around the world since their invention. Originating from Japan, Cootie Catchers were first seen in the early 1900s and have been a popular choice for entertainment ever since. The game is typically played by two or more participants who create a folded paper structure featuring several numbered doors.
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A participant then guesses which door contains the desired answer, and pulls open that door or flap to reveal it. The game can also be used for decision-making or fortune-telling if used with some creativity. Not only can a Cootie Catcher provide children and youngsters alike hours of fun, but it is also an educational tool due to its practice of geometry and paper folding.
Next time you find yourself looking for something new and exciting to do, consider making yourself a classic Cootie Catcher.
Download Free Cootie Catcher Templates
What is a Cootie Catcher?
Cootie Catchers, also known as “fortune tellers” or “paper fortune tellers,” are paper game pieces that have been around for generations. Each Cootie Catcher is unique and can be used to reveal a person’s secret wishes and fortunes. They are made by folding origami paper so that four flaps of alternating color create a square “mouth.” By moving the flaps up and down and in and out, players can spell out fortunes and play fun games.
With each move of the flaps, different messages appear and players can ask questions or flip through choices to solve a mystery before revealing the final message hidden behind the flap with the magical words, “Cootie Catcher!” Whether it’s for special occasions or just for fun, Cootie Catchers bring plenty of entertainment to the table.
How to Play Cootie Catcher
Playing Cootie Catcher is an easy and enjoyable game that makes a fun activity for groups of children. It only requires paper, scissors, and a bit of creativity to play. To begin, you must make a paper “cootie catcher” by folding and cutting a piece of paper in specific ways.
Once the cootie catcher has been made, players take turns choosing a color side and opening flaps until they find their fortune on the inside. People typically write out jokes or riddles as fortunes, but it can be anything that you’d like to include. When making your cootie catcher, remember to make it as colorful and creative as you can with crayons and markers, or even paper cutouts. Playing Cootie Catcher is an interactive party game suitable for groups of children, so grab some friends and get ready for hours of endless fun.
Folding Techniques for a Perfect Cootie Catcher
This timeless classic can be adapted for any age and is great for parties, classrooms, or just entertaining yourself. The key to a perfect cootie catcher is in the folding techniques.
Folding Basics
First, start with a square piece of paper. Fold it diagonally in both directions to form two triangles, and then open up the paper flat again. Next, fold each corner inward so that it meets in the middle of the square. Then fold all four corners into the center again, this time making sure that they overlap one another. Now you should have a smaller diamond shape with 8 flaps coming off of it.
Design & Color
Now comes the fun part of decorating your cootie catcher. Start by picking out various colors or patterns for each side of your diamond. You can use markers or colored pencils to make designs on each flap, you can also draw pictures or words if desired. Once you’re done coloring and decorating your flaps, add four numbers to the top flap (1-4). This will help when playing later on.
Finishing Up
Finally, finish off your cootie catcher by using scissors to cut small slits at each point on your diamond shape where two flaps meet in the middle. This will help keep everything together when flipping through the different sections of your cootie catcher. Now you’ve made a perfect cootie catcher all that’s left is to play! Choose someone else holding a cootie catcher and challenge them to pick their favorite color/pattern from yours; then let them choose which number they’d like to pick from yours as well! From there, all you need to do is follow the instructions written inside your freshly made crafty creation.
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Cootie Catcher Template
Remember when you were a kid and you would make cootie catchers with your friends? Cootie catchers, also called fortune tellers, are a fun way to pass the time. They’re easy to make and all you need is a piece of paper and something to write with! Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to make one.
Step 1: Start by folding your paper in half. Then fold it in half again. This creates four squares that will serve as the base for your cootie catcher. You can use any type of paper but brightly colored paper adds an extra bit of fun.
Step 2: Unfold the paper so that you have four squares visible. Fold each square into a triangle shape by following the directions in the diagram below.
Step 3: Once all four triangles are folded, flip over your paper so that the open side of each triangle is facing up. Label each triangle with numbers (1, 2, 3, and 4). Now it’s time to start creating your cootie catcher.
Step 4: On each side of every triangle, draw designs or colors that match each other a pair of lips on one side with matching eyes on the other, for example. Draw symbols like stars or hearts too if you want.
Step 5: Now it’s time for words. Open up two flaps so that each side has two triangles visible. Write down two options for each flap (e.g., “yes” & “no” or “happy” & “sad”). Make sure they fit inside the triangles and be sure to leave enough room on both sides so that they match up when closed again. Repeat this process until all eight flaps have words written inside them.
Step 6: Flip over your cootie catcher and write down eight questions inside each triangular flap (e.g., Will I get an A+ on my science test?). Make sure they fit inside the triangles before closing them up again! You’re almost done.
Step 7: Once all 8 flaps have questions written on them, open up one flap and point out two words (e.g., yes & no). Ask someone else which word they want before flipping it back over again so that it covers both words from their choice now you can begin playing. To play with your cootie catcher, ask someone else which number they want before choosing from the four options provided by the corresponding number triangle flap underneath (i.e., if their chosen number was 3 then choose from whichever two options are written under #3). The outcome of their choice will be revealed once all four triangular flaps have been opened/closed, and enjoyed.